Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) Placement: Examining Outcomes Between the Open and Percutaneous Approach

Background: Spinal cord stimulator (SCS) placement has been gaining traction as an approach several different chronic pain conditions. This procedure can be performed via a percutaneous SCS complications are relatively limited. Objective: The purpose of this study was to leverage a large national database to examine outcomes and open SCS placement approaches. Outcomes in this study include length of stay (LOS), complication and 1-year readmission rates. Materials and Methods: Inclusion criteria for the current study is SCS placement between 2015 using either a percutaneous approach or an open laminectomy based approach. Encounters placement, such that trial placements were not included in the study. Univariate statistics and was performed to compare outcomes between cohorts.Results: Total SCS case volumes were 9935 between the percutaneous (n = 4477, 45.1%) and Patients receiving the percutaneous approach were found to have a mean decrease in LOS those receiving the open approach. The percutaneous approach was significantly associated with one year compared to the open approach (odds ratio [OR]: 0.663, p < 0.001), as well as with the days (51.2% vs 40.2%, OR: 0.759, p < 0.001).Conclusion: The open approach, when compared to the percutaneous approach, had a longer discharge rates, and higher odds of experiencing an operative complication in comparison to percutaneous approach had relatively increased odds of thirty-day readmission, although no readmission or removal was demonstrated.